UFC vet Jacob Volkamnn signs World Series of Fighting deal

A week after his UFC release, veteran lightweight Jacob Volkmann has found a new home in the MMA world.

Volkmann (15-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) has signed a multi-fight with the upstart World Series of Fighting promotion. MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today confirmed the deal, which MMAFighting.com first reported.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Volkmann is likely to debut at WSOF 3, which sources said is likely to take place in June. WSOF’s events, which feature a mix of big-show vets and prospects, currently air on NBC Sports Network.

Despite a 6-4 record in the organization, including a recent 6-2 run and wins over notables such as Danny Castillo and Efrain Escudero, Volkmann recently was part of a massive roster purge that saw many names, including former title challenger Jon Fitch, axed from the UFC roster.

Volkmann, a three-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler at the University of Minnesota, made his pro debut in 2007 and signed with the UFC in 2009 after a 9-0 start to his career. Six of the wins had come via submission, though stoppage victories became rarer once he got in the octagon.

After back-to-back losses to welterweights Paulo Thiago and Martin Kampmann in his first two UFC fights, Volkmann dropped to lightweight and won five consecutive fights. However, all of the victories, including those over Castillo and Escudero, came via decision. Additionally, his wrestling-oriented style and smothering top game drew the ire of many fans. However, he vowed he wouldn’t change his style and said critics just didn’t appreciate the technical expertise his style required.

For more on WSOF’s upcoming shows and other rumored cards, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.